Person Trapped By Falling Branch In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A falling tree limb trapped a person in a Jeep and caused a small fire Wednesday, a Fairfield official said. The incident occurred early in the evening on Crestwood Road, according to fire department Lt. Robert Smith.

The branch fell while Fairfield was under a severe thunderstorm watch, and the downed wire caught fire while the line was live in the road, Smith said. Police escorted the electric company to the scene to turn off the power, according to Smith, who said no one was injured.

The incident Wednesday was similar to a fatal accident that happened earlier in the month on Park Avenue. In that case, the driver, 21-year-old Jarrod Marotto, of Southington, was trapped for about an hour as rescuers waited for crews to confirm that lines downed by a falling branch were safe. Driver David L. Schmerzler, 54, of Fairfield, also died after being struck by a falling tree limb in June on Sturges Highway.

The Fairfield Fire Department on Wednesday also assisted crews in Easton and Westport with house fires caused by lighting.